2024 Oily Rag Spring

CUSTOMER NEWS

SPRING 2024

30 Years of supporting the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ALL ABOARD! IS YOUR BOAT SUMMER READY?

USING THE WRONG OIL? DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

MIKE PORTER - FAMILY FARMING FOR NOW AND TOMORROW

THE BOTTOM LINE N I G E L B O T T O M - G R O U P M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R

THE BOTTOM LINE

PUTTING WITHAM ON THE MAP Our customer reach continues to expand...

Some long-awaited warmth and sunshine have at last arrived for us all and Witham Group continues to take huge leaps forward in both sustainability practices and in everything we set out to do. I am so proud of our abilities to react to opportunities, challenges, and the changes we all see every day. Our Team at Witham Group, both Lincoln and Soham, surprise and impress us with their ingenuity and ‘can do’ attitude when it comes to customer service and delivery.

We now have many thousands of customers using and purchasing both our Qualube and WOCO products, covering the whole of the UK and selected countries abroad. I am staggered where our products end up! We hear of lubricants being used in the latest block-buster film vehicles, through to premium international car manufacturers race teams. Our lubricants are being used in vital water pumps which are keeping towns, villages and cities dry from flood water over the last few months. We have lubricated massive recycling machinery taking much of the waste from our capital and many other cities around the UK to huge infrastructure power generation sites. We have painted agricultural machinery which has been used on farms within five miles of our head office to farms in the USA, China, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, and Norway!

We manufacture and sell products which lubricate cranes used to maintain the vast wind farms out in the North Sea, we supply the oil to the fishing boats which catch our daily fish quotas, we put the gearbox and differential oils, the coolant, the screen wash, the engine oil in literally thousands of trucks and vans delivering goods and services to our homes, businesses, and service providers. We also lubricate fleets of taxis, buses, and many, many emergency services (police, fire & rescue, ambulances) vehicles, plus 4x4’s used by mountain rescue teams.

Our technical expertise ensures the correct lubrication of massive factories, producing thousands of tonnes of concrete, massive mining equipment manufacturers, taking stone for local and national building projects, plus food production factories supplying soft fruit to supermarkets and events throughout the UK.

Green energy and construction are just two of the many sectors we supply.

We supply our agricultural lubricants to thousands of farming enterprises who feed us all and are at the cutting edge of environmental and sustainable schemes. We must remember also, the horticultural industry, where soon tens of thousands of lawnmowers, hedge cutters, chainsaw bars will be struck into action and lubricated by our products. Our horticultural lubricants and paints are not just for domestic use, but larger machinery as well used on international racetracks where they have thousands of acres of grass surrounding them, to festival sites, Premiership football and local council football pitches, horse arenas, plus on tens of thousands of acres of turf which is grown for other Football stadiums and turfing contractors are sporting stadiums throughout the UK and selected sites in Europe. regular customers of Witham Group

The marine industry relies on our anti-fouling products used on the bottom of boats to keep them free of weed and barnacles, we supply the engine oil for their beating hearts of engines used constantly for sometimes over 300 hours at sea without a stop. The winches, lifts for nets, self-levelling systems, are driven by our hydraulic oils, our environmental Witham ProLan products are used to keep all metalwork and chains free of rust without harming marine life… and so the list goes on!

We are proud to be known as one of the largest oil and paint companies’ people have never heard of, due to the fact we do so much own label for many brands and service dealerships. We are custodians of over 170 distinct brands and thousands of products from small independent retail outlets to international public limited companies …. you would be incredibly surprised who’s product we make! This year we have done more new own label ranges for customers than ever before.

We are proud to be a key part of the food chain, the manufacturing sector, the transportation industries, marine, industrial, passenger car, rail industries, plus always trying where we can, to donate to great causes and our communities with support for charities and local clubs.

RESPECTFULLY HUMBLE We never take this responsibility for granted and we never use our sometimes strong position for our own gain. We have an enviable reputation which is based solely on our mantra that we will be judged on our repeat business. This was said over 100 years ago in an article in the local newspaper about Witham Group, and it is still true to this day.

We continue our quest to only supply Quality, Value & Service to our customers all wrapped up and delivered in a professional and fun way!

So, as I reflect on all that we have achieved over the last financial year, and all that we have to look forward to this year (including hopefully a lovely warm summer) I wish to thank you, our customers, for the important part you play in the Witham Group Cogs of Business. Each and every one of you is valued and respected and for your support we are always grateful. We hope that the 104th year of Witham Group will prove to be busy with many more people impressed with our products and standard of service.

For over 100 years, Witham Group's reputation has grown based on the Quality, Value & Service we provide to our customers.

Please enjoy reading what we have been up to in this latest edition of the Witham Oily Rag. We hope to welcome many of you to our stands at the Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Royal Norfolk Shows this year, so please if you are free, do come and join us for some good old fashioned Witham hospitality, Thank you

Nigel

WITHAM GROUP NEWS - TEAM UPDATE MICK KENYON RETIRES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS...

After a magnificent service of over 40 years at Witham Group, Michael Kenyon, our Group Technical and Operations Director retired recently.

Mick joined the company at the age of 17 to work within the factory team, then based at Webb Street in Lincoln. As the company grew, so did Mick’s influence on the success of it. He became a trusted member of the Team and when the opportunity to become joint Foreman was offered, he took this challenge on and with his own unique enthusiasm and determination and became a key member of Witham’s management Team.

Over the coming years, Mick’s influence on the safe and efficient running of the factory grew and when the role of Operations Director was rightly offered to him, Mick moved into this more strategic administrational role where he started to flourish further. Mick learnt the technical side of Witham Group’s blending also, and with guidance from the then Managing Director, Alan Smith, soon became a very key person within the Board of Directors at Witham Group and a well-respected figure head for all within our business and industry.

Whilst we were incredibly sad to say goodbye to Mick, his retirement has opened up some extremely exciting new opportunities. Due to the ever expanding complexity of our technical, commercial and operational silos of our business, we are delighted to have made two new appointments and promotions:

Nigel Bottom MD congratulating Graham (centre) and Ian on their new appointments

IAN WRIGHT

GRAHAM DAWSON Associate Director – Commercial & Technical.

Associate Director – Operations.

Graham joined us to work as our Commercial Manager 5 years ago, overseeing the day to day finance, administration and management information of the business and his inquisitive mind, skills working on databases and processes, plus his care and commitment to our customers and suppliers is a huge asset to Witham Group. As our new Associate Director – Commercial & Technical, Graham and his team will take on the technical aspects of our business as well as the Commercial, which will include working on the latest technologies and product ranges and ensuring we continue to blend only the very best lubricants and paints.

Ian joined us 15 years ago and after gaining experience in the Lincoln factory, he grew to being part of the administrational Operations Team. He took on key accounts and was the ‘go to’ person for many customers then and is still today. He was nominated for Young Employee of the Year within the whole United Kingdom Lubricants Association and won the top prize in the UK. Ian Wright is a trusted and influential young person who is passionate about serving our customers, maintaining high standards of manufacturing, working towards our key environmental objectives and looking after our operational team.

NEW SOHAM OPERATIONS DIRECTOR It is with the greatest pleasure that we announce the promotion of Tom Reader of Witham Group, Soham depot to join the main Board of Directors as Witham Oil & Paint (Soham) Limited - Operations Director.

Tom joined the company, first working in warehouse, order processing and distribution roles. He moved swiftly into an administrational role, supporting the company’s operational side as it grew. He gained successful promotions within the company as opportunities arose and he was awarded the ‘Young Employee of the Year Award’ given by the United Kingdom Lubricants Association in recognition.

MEET TOM OUR NEW SENIOR FINANCE EXECUTIVE We welcomed a new addition to our Finance Team recently - Tom Risebrow joins us as a Senior Finance Executive within the office team at Lincoln, responsible for financial management and administration of invoices and accounts – so he will be helping support customers and suppliers with any financial queries and a great new member of our customer services team.

WE WELCOME NEW DELIVERY DRIVERS TO THE TEAM

Adam Ingall

Tony Clements

UKLA CERTIFICATE OF LUBRICANT COMPETENCE AWARDED TO JOHN Congratulations to John Cotterill from our Soham Depot who completed his UKLA Certificate of Lubricant Competence with a Distinction recently. This comprehensive lubricant training programme provides a foundation on the lubricants industry from refining and exploration to manufacturing and formulations, health, safety and the environment.

You may have already noticed some new faces delivering Witham products recently.

We welcomed two new starters to the Transport Team at the start of the year; Tony Clements and Adam Ingall joined us as HGV drivers, delivering to customers in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire Suffolk and Yorkshire.

WITHAM GROUP NEWS WATCH OUT FOR OUR NEW WORK HORSE TO THE WITHAM DELIVERY FLEET As older vehicles need replacing, we are proud to be now running a new lorry in our Lincoln fleet.

The new Mercedes Benz Actros 1830 is a remarkable fuel efficient lorry, providing fuel savings from optimisation of the drivetrain, the use of Mirrorcam and the enhanced Predictive Powerchain Control, which should help on the country roads of Norfolk & Suffolk as well as the drive back along the always busy A17. We hope you like the brand new livery too.

ITS SHOWTIME!

PLEASE JOIN US AT THIS YEARS COUNTY SHOWS… We’re looking forward to exhibiting at our local county shows again this year, and very much hope you can join us. We’ll have lots of things to see on the Witham stands, including all our latest lubricants and paint products, and of course our good old fashioned Witham hospitality! Come along and see how our oils and paints are used in many applications, from Classic & Vintage to modern motorsport and a whole variety of working vehicles and machinery.

Our friendly Witham team will be on hand to answer all your questions and offer expert advice and we look forward to catching up with you over the 3 events.

NEWLY ADR QUALIFIED DRIVERS AND FLEET Congratulations to our Lincoln driver, Rob Redpath who recently qualified as an ADR Driver (which is to enable the delivery of certain hazardous or dangerous goods in transit). As we become busier supplying larger quantities of paint to customers, we have the need for ADR trained drivers. Rob joins Adam Ingall with this qualification and two of our lorries OIL9020 and YW17 HAM are also now equipped and fitted out to this ADR standard.

WITHAM RANKED 1ST IN UK IN WORKER SAFETY AWARDS Last year we introduced a new app called ‘Ok Alone’ to protect our drivers and any team member whilst they are out working or driving alone. It works by tracking employees via GPS phone data, with regular check ins to ensure that they are ok.

The top rated app has a whole host of features to help keep anyone working on their own monitored and safe.

OK Alone, which is a worldwide company, has recently introduced a safety awards scheme based on the app usage such as starting shift, clocking in on time, to finishing shift without any issues. At the end of each month, the worker’s usage in the Ok Alone system is collated and reviewed, they are awarded with points and a safety score is calculated.

After two months of taking part in the safety awards, we are very proud to find out that Witham Group has been ranked in the top 5 companies in the UK and Worldwide.

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WITHAM GROUP NEWS

ENVIRONMENT UPDATE OUR REDUCTION IN PAPER USE CONTINUES TO SAVE TREES!!

We’ve just done some sums on our paper printing volumes since switching over to our new computer system Odoo.

We are delighted to report that over the past year we have printed approximately 48,000 less paper copies through the office printers, which equates to a 40% reduction in paper use and also less ink and energy used in printing.

According to Ribble Packaging, industrial packaging and waste experts, it is estimated that a standard pine tree, with 45ft of the usable trunk and a diameter of eight inches, will produce around 10,000 sheets of paper. This means that our paper savings from last year alone has helped to save around 5 trees!!

We will continue to monitor our savings in paper and also work hard as part of our environmental objectives to reduce further paper and cardboard usage where we can.

NEW FOCUS ON OUR MEASURING AND MONITORING The emphasis is changing for companies to focus more on the scrutiny of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects of running a business. We are now aiming to be a “circular economy”. This basically means we are creating a model of production and use for our products which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.

We are already very proud of the areas within our business that we do recycle or reduce environmental impacts already and our environmental achievements and objectives are discussed at main board level and reviewed by our Environmental & Standards Committee. We will be ensuring the following areas are monitored and measured even further going forward to help us create higher standards of environmental and social governance.

CARBON FOOTPRINT MEASURING – we will shortly be getting all our carbon footprint calculations further verified – both for our lubricant products and for our business as a whole.

SUPPLIERS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT – a new register of suppliers of raw materials, goods and services to Witham Group will be contacted over the year ahead to ensure that we have up to date information about their own environmental and social codes of practice.

WASTE – we have a register of all the waste that we produce and a list of registered suppliers who collect the different types of waste from us and we will now be working more to measure our overall waste volumes with a view to seeing how we can reduce our waste overall.

TRANSPORT POLICY – we will be measuring more closely our own fleet of vehicles from our delivery lorries to our company cars, their emissions and fuel economies AND that of our couriers and will be checking as a supplier they have suitable zero/ lower emission goals and other ESG objectives.

RECYCLING – we will also be working on summarising our recycling activities and how they are improving. From packaging and barrels to toner cartridges and elements of recycling in our drums, to monitor improvements in this area.

WATER – whilst we harvest rainwater and save it where we can we now need to be able to report over a 3-5 year rolling period our cubic metres of water used and monitor our water usage and reduce wherever possible.

WITHAM GROUP NEWS

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIVE INTO OUR WORLD OF LUBRICANTS & PAINTS? We are delighted to welcome visitors throughout the year to our Lincoln HQ and manufacturing factory. From car clubs, young farmers, engineers, college students, apprentices, mechanics, classic and vintage car owners, to farming groups as well as distributors or just interested customers.

Factory Tour attendees get an interesting talk about oil and lubricants, how they are made, the different types and what they are used for. There is a chance to learn more about paints and where our products end up. We also provide a little drop of history of the Witham Group, along with more information about the sectors we work in and the services we provide, ending up with a technical Q&A session and a tour of the factory.

“A group of Woldmarsh Producers Ltd members were treated to a fascinating tour of The Witham Group earlier this week. It was a fabulous evening and highly recommended if you get the chance! Thank you to Nigel & Simon for hosting us and Washingborough Hall Hotel for the delicious meal afterwards!”

We were recently pleased to host visits from Woldmarsh Producers Buying Group, and two young farmers groups (Wragby and Heckington & Sleaford). All were a pleasure to host - wonderfully engaged with lots of questions.

Wragby Young Farmers

Heckington & Sleaford Young Farmers

“Last night we had a tour around The Witham Group. It was a fantastic tour and very informative. Thank you so much Nigel, Tess and Simon for giving up your Tuesday night for us. We hope you enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed visiting!”

“A couple of weeks ago we visited The Witham Group for a tour and to find out more about what they do!

Everyone had a great time looking around. Big thank you to such wonderful hosts!”

If you know of any relevant clubs, businesses, college or other association that would be interested in a Witham Factory Talk and Tour or presentation - please do get in touch.

Witham’s Gun Care Range…

Our Gun Care Range continues to be a success with increased exposure in the shooting world and more endorsements for customers.

Gun Care Range Showcased at British Shooting Show We were delighted to see our popular Gun Care Range on display at the Clay Pigeon Shooting Associations (CPSA’s) stand at the British Shooting Show recently. We supplied visitors of the stand with sample size aerosols of our Gun Cleaner and Gun Oil and we also supplied two display stands designed to look like giant replicas of our gun care range.

The CPSA stand looked great and attracted hundreds of visitors over the course of the three-day event.

Pull! Magazine We are continuing to run a monthly ‘Spot the Clay’. competition in the CPSA’s magazine – Pull! – which is proving to be very popular.

‘Pull’ goes out to their 25,000 members and like other clubs, we are offering any CPSA members a 20% discount from either our online shop or orders over the phone.

The Field Magazine We supported the Field Magazine’s charity event recently by donating some samples of our Gun Oil and Gun Barrel and Choke Cleaner.

The Field hosted the ‘Macnab dinner’ in February for all the successful winners of The Macnab Challenge - a field sports endeavour based on John Buchan’s famous novel John Macnab, which requires skill and perseverance on both hill and river in pursuit of salmon, stag and grouse. People who successfully complete the challenge become known as Macnabers!

Gun Cleaning Guide Last year, we produced a Gun Cleaning Guide with help from one of clay shoot customers and England Olympic Trap Team member – William Gilbert. We have now had this guide printed to be sent out with all our online gun care sales and to give away at shows and events. This handy 3 page guide features step by step instructions on how to clean a shot gun using Witham Gun Oil and Cleaner and also shows off our product range for gun care. The guide has been used to help with various articles with The Shooting Times and is also available to download from our website on the Downloads & Brochures page.

WITHAM GROUP NEWS

PROLAN COMES OUT ON TOP IN RUST PREVENTION TRIAL We were delighted to see that the ever popular Classic Tractor Magazine recently featured our lanolin based Prolan products in an independent Testing Trial about rust prevention products. The article tested and considered the effectiveness of both short and long-term treatments in a sixmonth comparison trial. The tests were carried out using some worn cultivator points which are used in agricultural machinery to aerate soil prior to planting. These points were attached to a backing board for easy display. Each one was coated liberally with one of four different products

(including our Prolan Heavy and Prolan Light Grade) and then left outdoors in February 2023 for a six month period to compare how they rusted. A fifth cultivator point was used as the ‘control’ to show the level of corrosion that would occur on an untreated bare metal surface.

During the six months trial took place outside during periods of snow, torrential rain and some of the extremely high temperatures experienced during the summer of 2023. A photographic record was made during the test period to illustrate how each of the rust prevention products faired over time.

The rust prevention products used in the trial were two types, Products that offer long term protection and products that offer shorter term protection. Of the two short-term products (ACF50 from Lear Chemical Research and Witham Group Prolan Light Grade) Prolan Light (test 4) came out on top, with the least corrosion appearing on the cultivator point.

For the longer term prevention products, Prolan Heavy Grade (test 3) and Morris Ankor Wax performed to a similar level – however, the article points out that Prolan offers more size options, is environmentally friendly and fully biodegradable, water safe, unlike Ankor Wax which only comes in 5 litre cans and was described as ‘toxic’ with ‘several health and environmental warnings.'

PROLAN - THE ART OF CONSERVATION It was also great to see our Prolan range featured in Classic Tractor magazine in an article about conservation and storage, including advice from restoration specialist Ben Craig, who uses Prolan Light Grade Lubricant for protecting classic vehicles: He explains:

“I suggest using Prolan on tractor components, which doesn’t have any negative environmental effects. It forms a wax coating and can be easily sprayed or brushed on, leaving a hard and durable protected finish.”

WITHAM OILS HELP KEEP TRACTOR IN TOP CONDITION IN CUSTOMER FEATURE Witham Group was mentioned recently in the farm machinery magazine ‘Profi’ in an article about our longstanding customer – Swanton Morely Farms. The article looks at the farm’s 23-year-old Claas Challenger 95E crawler – which despite having nearly 16,000 hours on the clock – is still relied upon to carry out all the primary cultivations, thanks to excellent in-house maintenance and a good oil supplier!

PROUD TO BE RECOGNISED AS A CONSCIOUS COMPANY! After a visit from their Editor to Witham Group HQ, we're thrilled to be featured in Future Waste UK magazine's 'Conscious Companies' section, with an interview with our MD, Nigel Bottom.

Future Waste is a leading bi-monthly publication in the UK, keeping industry professionals informed on the latest advancements in the recycling and waste management sectors.

WITHAM GROUP NEWS WITHAM SHARES SECRETS TO LONGEVITY AMID ECONOMIC CHALLENGES WITH LINCOLNITE

WITHAM’S PLANT & OFFROAD OFFERING FEATURED IN PLANT PLANET MAGAZINE Plant Planet magazine, an independent magazine bringing the latest news, releases and insights from the Plant Machinery Industry as a core aim is to provide readers with impartial information from across the world of Heavy Machinery.

In a recent article about oil storage solutions for workshops, our unique colour coded bulk storage tanks were highlighted and their ‘Industry Corner’ section also featured an interview with our MD Nigel Bottom who explained more about why and how Witham Group serves the Plant and Off Road industry.

PLANT PLANET

industry corner

Witham Group Ltd

Witham Group Ltd

Oiling the Cogs of Innovation

Witham Group Ltd

PLANT PLANET

industry corner

We are the largest oil manufacturer in the UK that no one has ever heard of but our ethos of quality products and offering the best customer service we can has held us in very good stead.

REBECCA PHILLIPS EDITOR

This month’s Industry Corner took me all the way to the very heart of Lincoln (which trust me, from Chichester is a HEFTY drive). For over 100 years, Witham Group Ltd has operated out of this historic city, bringing quality oils and paints to Britain for three generations of the founding family. Whatever the industry, whatever the demand, Witham Group has always been there to meet it.

I arrived on site to a veritable hive of activity, the excitement palpable as I was taken through to the boardroom. Sat in my comfy chair with my fizzy water (don’t judge me, I like it, okay?), I got chatting to Ali Bottom, Group Marketing Director, who explained that they were smack bang in the middle of renewing their Royal Warrant, which is absolutely as honourable as it sounds, particularly with our new King, likely to be really honing in on who should and shouldn’t have one. Since 1991, Witham Group has been proud to supply oil and paint to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and the Royal Crest is something that represents a mark of excellence, with a proven track record of service, environmental credentials and good quality products.

What I assumed (incorrectly I might say) is that my visit would focus on long standing tradition. As long as plant machinery has existed, the need for lubricants has been paramount, and Witham has certainly been around long enough to meet that demand. The HQ was certainly wholly elegant and welcoming, steeped in old world grace and refinement.

Yet, at the very heart of Witham Group beats the drum of innovation. Not just in best practice and ideals, but with the all-important green initiative that might otherwise be easily forgotten. A pillar of the community in so many ways, Witham Group is at the forefront of a long-needed journey into a better and brighter future, and I was truly honoured to be invited along for the ride.

Nigel Bottom, Managing Director, took me not only on a tour of their incredible facility, but also on a journey to the very heart of their operation.

Their ethos, their brand, the very fabric of the molecular structure that makes up their oils and lubricants, Nigel and Ali detailed it all.

Join us, dear readers. Join us!

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So, 103 years of oil and paint.

A: That’s what we do!

N: Certainly is. I’m the third generation of my family to work within the company and the business also has a fourth generation of the Smith family still working in it too.

That’s incredible. You must be so proud to be continuing and expanding the family business?

N: Absolutely, I’m extremely proud. We are the largest oil manufacturer in the UK that no one has ever heard of but our ethos of quality products and offering the best customer service we can has held us in very good stead.

Is it too broad to ask you what you’re all about?

N: No, of course not!

Not lazy journalism then?

N: No, because everyone is different and works to different specifications. Here at Witham, we work directly with technology companies that supply the information

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We were very proud to be featured in The Lincolnite in December in an article about the secret to the long term survival of small businesses. The piece includes some great pictures of our history and includes quotes from our MD Nigel Bottom and long serving Factory Foreman Martin King.

Customers showcase Witham’s Products on You Tube

"THAT’S EFFICIENCY FOR YOU!” DOVE FARMS DELIGHTED WITH OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE Dove Farms, one of our agricultural customers based in Yorkshire, post regular YouTube videos with over 9,700 followers. In one of their latest videos, the customer shows the viewers his recent Witham products that have been delivered and is very happy with the efficiency of the Witham delivery service. Having put in a call to our sales executive Simon Ranshaw (who looks after the Yorkshire and North Lincs area) only the day before, the customer’s lubricants order arrived the next day and he was so pleased he encouraged his viewers to get in contact with Simon direct!

LORD MUCK RATES PROLAN FOR CLASSIC TRACTOR RESTORATION We were pleased to see our Prolan Medium Grade lubricant being featured in Social Media Influencer Lord Muck's latest video, which has racked up 22k views! He uses it to protect the paintwork on a classic Wheel Horse C-120 tractor that he is in the process of restoring.

As well as being a fantastic rust prevention product – it can also be used as a wax coating to protect classic vehicles.

CALAMITY KIM GIVES WITHAM QUALUBE EUROFLEET THE THUMBS UP! Our Qualube Lubricants have been featured in another video about the restoration of an old chipper/shredder by YouTube influencer Calamity Kim. Her YouTube channel is popular with machinery and engine enthusiasts – and this video has had 11k views so far.

WW2 MUSEUM THANKS WITHAM FOR PAINT DONATION Thanks to Paul Britchford from the We'll Meet Again : WW2 Museum in Lincolnshire for mentioning our Woco paint in his YouTube video about the restoration of a replica WW2 Hawker Hurricane from the 1968 movie The Battle of Britain. The museum is an award-winning WW2 Homefront Museum, based at Freiston Shore, near Boston, Lincolnshire which we featured in our last edition of the Oily Rag. We are very proud to support Paul and his fantastic museum!

WHAT’S NEW? NEW IMPROVED FORMULA - WOCO BARN PAINT

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We are delighted to announce we have a new and even better formula for our ever popular Woco Barn Paint range.

The new formula provides excellent coverage and provides a longer lasting, finish.

Woco Barn Paint provides excellent protection and improved appearance to a huge variety of outside applications, for businesses, homes and gardens. This remarkable low-toxic, water based paint can be applied straight onto most previously painted surfaces (except metal and resinous timber which requires additional preparation). Our barn paint is fast drying and made from a unique acrylic resin system, which is low odour and safe to use around animals and people and offers a tough, durable, microporous protective coating, with excellent colour retention. Ideal for gates & fences, barns, stables, outbuildings, timber, sheds, buildings, concrete, brickwork, garden furniture, and so much more.

For more information or to request a sample pot, please visit our website or call your local depot.

WITHAM ADDS NEW SI-OAT TECHNOLOGY TO OUR COOLANT RANGE Our Anti-Freeze and Coolant Range has been enhanced to the latest technology by the addition of two new products using Si-Oat Technology. Silicate Hybrid Organic Acid Technology uses relatively new formulations which offer extended service life for engines and meet the requirements of modern engines, produced by most European Vehicle manufacturers. The products are more environmentally sensitive as they are free from borates, phosphates, nitrates and amines. The increased lifetime allows less frequent maintenance, thanks to the unique corrosion inhibitors which have a very low depletion rate. The new product Qualube Qualguard comes in a choice of 50/50 pre-mixed Coolant or the Qualube Qualguard Concentrated option and are both available to customers and from our online shop.

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OUR BARN PAINT RANGE IS AVAILABLE IN A RANGE OF POPULAR 13 COASTAL INSPIRED COLOURS

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NEW ULTIMATE SCRUB WIPES NOW IN STOCK We have replaced the Witham Scrub Wipes and Textured Wipes with one new Ultimate pack of wipes for hands, Surfaces and Tools. These new scrub wipes come in a handy tub of 80 wipes and are on sale now. The new wipes help remove: ✓ Oil, grease, paint, adhesives, silicone, bitumen, PU Foam as well as general dirt and contain mildly abrasive scrub material to help break down the toughest of marks. ✓ They are Anti-bacterial with Moisturising Aloe Vera so kind to hands. ✓ Suitable for multi use, hands, surfaces and tools.

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WIPES

WWW.WITHAMGROUP.CO.UK WITHAM OIL & PAINT (HEAD OFFICE) LTD Head Office, Outer Circle Road, Lincoln LN2 4HL T: 01522 521192 E:enquiries@withamgroup.co.uk WITHAM OIL & PAINT (SOHAM) LTD 28 Regal Drive, Soham, Cambridgeshire CB7 5BE T:01353 723373 E: enquiries@withamgroup.co.uk

ULTIMATE

SCRUB WIPES

WITHAM MOTORSPORT LTD 28 Regal Drive, Soham, Cambridgeshire CB7 5BE T: 01353 723373 E: enquiries@withammotorsport.co.uk

REORDER CODE: TWW80 Health and Safety: Causes serious eye irritation. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.

Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do.

Continue rinsing. Seek medical advice if irritation persists. Keep out of reach of Children. Use biocides safely and sustainably. It is illegal to use this product for uses or in a manner other than prescribed on this label.

Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations. For information or to report a poisoning incident contact The National Poisons Information Centre: Tel: 018092166 (8am-10pm).

Type of formulation: xx-others.

UFI: R720-G0MT-U006-8YP1

a OIL a GREASE a GRIME a PAINT a SILICONE a ADHESIVES a PU FOAM a SEALANT a BITUMEN & MUCH MORE • Mildly abrasive scrub material for breaking down dried marks • Antibacterial • Contains moisturising Aloe Vera • Recyclable lid and tub

HANDS | SURFACES | TOOLS

Always fully close the lid after use and store in a cool dry place.

Contains AQUA ALCOHOL DENAT. C9-11 PARETH-8 NOT TESTED POLYSORBATE 20 ON ANIMALS DIMETHYL GLUTARATE DIMETHYL SUCCINATE DIMETHYL ADIPATE 24M ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE PARFUM DMDM HYDANTOIN SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL LIMONENE IODOPROPNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE DIDECYLDIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE

✓ Recyclable Lid and tub For more information please visit our website or contact your local sales executive or depot.

BLUE ROLL NOW AVAILABLE IN HANDY 6 PACK We are now stocking Blue 2 Ply centrefeed roll in a popular six pack option, as well as our usual two pack. Featuring high strength and super absorbency with 2-ply construction, it excels in cleaning surfaces, absorbing spillages, and drying hands, all at a budget-friendly cost.

A must have for any workshop and another great addition to our growing range of workshop and cleaning products. To see what else we can offer, please visit our website.

NEW RONSEAL DECKING PAINT ADDED TO OUTDOOR WOODCARE RANGE We are now stocking a small range of Ronseal ‘Ultimate Protection Decking Paint’ - which is a fantastic water based product ideal for transforming both soft or hardwood, old or new decking with a choice of attractive colour options. This paint offers easy to use, great coverage with extremely long lasting, all year round weather protection. It fills in small cracks, covers old, greyed wood and copes with foot traffic. It can also be used on other wood around the garden, such as wooden troughs, furniture and planters etc. We are offering a range of five colours, which complement our Barn Paint colours:

SLATE

ENGLISH OAK

CHARCOAL

CHESTNUT

SAGE

THIS IS AVAILABLE AT THE SOHAM DEPOT – PLEASE CONTACT THEM FOR MORE DETAILS.

CUSTOMER STORIES RESTORATION OF THE RAVINE BRIDGE IN LOWESTOFT

We were delighted to supply the paint for the restoration of the Ravine Bridge in Lowestoft. The Bridge is a listed structure and was originally opened in 1887. It has been under a restoration programme over the past 2 years. The footbridge was subject to substantial decay and corrosion and a large number of repairs had to take place. One of our Cambridgeshire customers, Gunite Eastern, part of the Gunite Group, specialise in the restoration of concrete, brick and stone structures, and were the chosen contractor to fulfil the project. Our specialist paint team worked closely with the Gunite team to ensure the paints recommended for the various applications would more than meet the required specification. Application of our Woco 608 2 Pack Primer and Woco 451 2 Pack Polyurethane Topcoats was applied under cover throughout the winter, the aim was to produce a coating to preserve and protect the bridge within a challenging east coastal environment.

Witham Technical Manager Ralph Godbold commented: “We are immensely proud to have played a part in the preservation of the bridge in my home town of Lowestoft. It’s been great working with the team at Gunite to ensure the bridge looks good for years to come”.

VINTAGE FORKLIFT GIVEN A SUPERCOTE REFRESH! Our customer GJC Plant, who are based near Cambridge, have recently restored and painted an amazing 1971 Liner Rough Rider Forklift. We were delighted to supply our Woco paint for the restoration. The forklift was prepared in our 371 Super Primer Undercoat, and a top coat of our 370 Supercote Golden Yellow.

Our Woco Industrial Finishes paint range offers extreme high gloss finishes to many applications, including agricultural machinery, on highway and off-highway, external and industrial buildings, and much more. Please get in contact with us if you have a painting or restoration project and we will be more than happy to help.

Before

After

QUALUBE DOUBLE DECKER SPOTTED AT LINCOLNSHIRE TRANSPORT MUSEUM On a recent visit to one of our customers, The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum, we were delighted to spot an old Vintage double decker bus with an old Witham Qualube advert on the side. The LRTM was established in 1959 and is run entirely by volunteers of the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society, one of the oldest vehicle preservation societies in the UK. Their collection of road transport through the ages includes the magnificent 1941 Leyland Titan double-decker bus, originally used by Lincoln Corporation, and sports the retro Witham Qualube advertisement.

Other vehicles include, coaches, vans, fire trucks and motorcycles.

Impressively, all their vehicles are restored and operational, taking part in city events, open days, and even private hire.

We have been proud to supply Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum with oils and paints for the maintenance and upkeep of their vehicles for many years. The museum is open to the public for visitors every Sunday throughout the year 11am-4pm.

WOCO PAINT TO BE USED BY BLACKBURN BUCCANEER AVIATION GROUP We are delighted to have been asked to supply our WOCO paint to The Buccaneer Aviation Group (TBAG), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation located at Cotswold Airport (formerly RAF Kemble), in Gloucestershire. TBAG is a group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the low-level nuclear bomber – the Blackburn Buccaneer. The group preserves two ex-Royal Air Force Buccaneers, XX894 & XW544, and has done so since 2004. After huge restoration efforts, both aircraft are now back in fully operational condition, to honour the service of the air and ground crews, the people who built them, and the memories associated with the type, and to help inspire future generations to continue preserving the Buccaneer aircraft.

CUSTOMER STORIES WIND TURBINE COMPANY NOW USING PROLAN TO PROTECT EQUIPMENT We are delighted to now supply to Pict Offshore Limited in Scotland who develop, build, sell and support innovative access, lifting and height safety solutions for the offshore wind energy sector. We are supplying our Prolan lubricant range to lubricate the cables and winches used on their Wind Turbines.

The harsh Marine environments are tough on machinery and equipment, so it’s important to lubricate effectively and protect against corrosion with products that won't harm the environment.

Prolan is suitable for all marine applications and conditions and has outstanding qualities to stop corrosion from a salty, damp environment. Made using lanolin from sheep ‘s wool, which is sustainable and biodegradable, the Prolan range is very popular with the green energy industry.

WITHAM ATTENDS MOLE VALLEY FARMERS AGRI EXPO Earlier in the year, we attended the Mole Valley Farmers Expo in Devon.

The event, was held at the Matford Centre in Exeter and included dozens of trade stands and a host of seminars, led by industry experts covering topics for farmers on everything from consumer market trends and lowering carbon footprints to nutrition and soil management.

The event was very informative and visitors included farming customers of Mole Valley and many other businesses linked to agriculture. We were delighted to offer advice on oils, greases and coolants as the own label suppliers of their lubricant range to customers across the UK.

WE WELCOME DLS PLASTICS AS A NEW CLIENT

We are excited to announce a new partnership with DLS Plastics. Located in Grantham, DLS Plastics is a one-stop shop for plastic components, handling design, engineering, and manufacturing all in-house.

WORKSHOP FLOOR REFRESH FOR JD RALLYSPORT

We recently acquired a new Motorsport Garage customer - J D Rallysport, based in Wales – who run the rally cars for our Witham Motorsport drivers Matthew Hirst, John Griffiths and many others. We supplied our WOCO Koverflor 2K Floor paint to refresh the workshop floor. WOCO Koverflor is ideal for garage and workshop floors as it is resistant to fuels, stains and most chemicals and provides an attractive long-lasting finish for hard working areas.

We are delighted to be supplying DLS Plastics with a range of our Qualube hydraulic, slideway, and cutting oils. These high-quality lubricants will ensure the smooth operation of DLS Plastics' factory machinery, which is essential for maintaining efficient production of their plastic components.

WITHAM ATTENDS THE YORKSHIRE MACHINERY SHOW It was great to see everyone at the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show (YAMS) in February. The YAMS is now the biggest one day machinery show in the north and attracts around 15,000 visitors to the York Auction Centre site at Murton on the outskirts of York.

The Witham team had an enjoyable day seeing customers old and new and showcasing our latest products and services.

CUSTOMER STORIES LINCOLNSHIRE MOTORS SHINES WITH WOCO KOVERFLOR! Lincolnshire Motors are part of the Burdens Group and based in Brigg and Louth, in Lincolnshire and wanted to freshen up their showroom floor, choosing our Woco Koverflor Type F in dark grey.

They were very impressed with the product's coverage and ease of application, and they're already planning to use it on other areas in the future.

BAILEY TRAILERS DELIVERS WITH WITHAM OILS! We're proud to announce that Bailey Trailers will be using all Witham oils and greases for their two brand new MAN trucks! These impressive vehicles will be hitting the road this year, delivering their Bailey trailers all across the UK. The famous Bailey Green trailers are all sprayed with our Woco paints at their manufacturing site in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

WOCO FLOOR PAINT HELPS TRANSFORM CUSTOMER'S NEW PREMISES One of our manufacturing customers recently moved to new, larger premises with a huge floor space of approximately 2,700 sq. meters, across three floors, and we were delighted to supply all the paint for upgrading the floors.

We recommended the floor was shot blasted and then painted with two coats of our WOCO High Solids Epoxy Acrylic Floor Coating in BS 00A05 light grey. The floor painting is finished now, and the customer is delighted with the final result.

The final phase is to paint the exterior cladding on the building which will be completed in the summer and we will be proud to be supplying all the paint.

MANCHETTS RECOVERY SAVES LORRY STUCK IN FLOODS

Manchetts Recovery, a valued customer located in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Lincolnshire, has been battling the recent floods, attempting to rescue this HGV lorry that got submerged in floodwater at Welney wash near Ely in Cambridgeshire.

The floodwaters cause significant damage to vehicles, submerging engines and axles. In such cases, Manchetts Recovery perform a complete overhaul of its recovery vehicles, replacing all engine fluids and lubricants - to protect their machinery from any damage due to water ingress.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by recovery teams during floods. Flooded roads can quickly trap vehicles, and submerged engines require extensive repairs to ensure safe operation again.

NEW HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTOR CHOOSES WITHAM'S OWN LABEL SERVICE

We're excited to announce that Herts Garden Machinery, a horticultural distributor based in Hertfordshire, has chosen to carry our own label oil. They've already received their first order and are impressed by both the product's design and the service we've provided. This partnership expands our reach in the horticultural market, offering our high-quality lubricants to a wider range of customers.

Our own label business is growing in popularity as we are able to help customers create their own brand lubricants and greases, backed by approved, high quality products and technical support. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Herts Garden Machinery in the months ahead. If you are interested in exploring an Own Label for your brand, please get in touch.

CUSTOMER STORIES SPEARHEAD TURF KEEPS BLADES SHARP WITH East Midlands turf supplier, Spearhead Turf, is part of Harrowden Turf Ltd and has been producing quality turf for many years, with an excellent reputation for good customer service.

The company has been using Witham’s lanolin based Prolan lubricant to prevent rust on their mower blades during winter storage, saving them time and keeping their equipment in top condition. The company, which supplies turf for domestic lawns, golf courses, and sporting venues, has roughly 130 mowers to sharpen each year. This sharpening process can take 3-4 months to complete.

Previously, Spearhead Turf faced an issue with blades rusting in storage over the winter. This caused the blades sharpened earlier in the season to lose their edge faster than those sharpened later.

"We heard positive things about Prolan's long-lasting rust protection," says Kevin from Spearhead Turf. "Before using Prolan, our blades would rust in the shed before spring mowing. This meant the blades sharpened first would become dull quicker than others. We hope Prolan will save us significant time by preventing rust and keeping our mowers in excellent condition for years to come."

CUSTOMER REVAMPS GARAGE WITH WOCO FLOOR PAINT We recently advised a customer on which paint to use for a home garage renovation. Considering the garage walls were constructed from breeze blocks, a highly absorbent material, our recommendation was to use Woco Brushstroke Emulsion in white. This paint is a cost-effective option, ideal for situations where paint absorption can be unpredictable.

To ensure a clean and professional finish, Crown Trade Clean Extreme was also provided.

For the garage floor, a heavy-duty solution was recommended: Woco Two Pack Epoxy Acrylic Floor Paint (TDS 622) in pale grey was chosen due to its exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear. The project resulted in a fantastic transformation and finish, exceeding the customer's expectations.

Spearhead Turf spraying Prolan Medium Grade Lubricant to the cylinders and bottom blades after sharpening.

WITHAM SAVES THE DAY (AND THE ICE CREAM) WITH HARD-TO-FIND VISCOSITY CONVERSION Ever come across a seemingly impossible problem? That's exactly what the Lewis of London Ice Cream company faced when needing a replacement oil for a homogenizer.

A homogenizer is a mixer used to create a uniform and even mixture by forcing material through a narrow, confined space and is used in their ice cream manufacturing process. The challenge was that the manual for the homogenizer listed the viscosity grade in SSU (Saybolt Seconds Universal) format, which hasn’t been in common use for over 70 years!

Luckily, Witham is always prepared. Our team has access to extensive conversion tables and was able to recommend a suitable replacement - Qualube MEP32 which Lewis of London Ice Cream was then able to order.

This isn't the first time Lewis of London Ice Cream has turned to Witham for their needs. We're proud to be a repeat supplier, having previously provided them with our Woco floor paint.

BULK STORAGE TANKS IMPROVE WORKSHOP EFFICIENCY AT THORNCLIFFS Thorncliffs are an agricultural vehicle dealership based in Lincolnshire who supply agricultural machinery for both purchase and hire, importing equipment from all over the world to customers in the UK. We are proud to supply all their OEM oil and their fleet runs solely on Qualube Lubricants. We recently installed six new bulk storage tanks to help simplify their oil filling process and make it clearer which oils they’re using for which JCB specification.

We have also supplied empty 25ltr drums for them to fill up from their tanks to make on site servicing and breakdowns easier for their fitters.

Simple, clean and easy to use, these tanks help keep your working space ship-shape, avoid spills from containers, helps avoid important oil contamination and helps the environment by using less packaging.

They also provide important health & safety requirements for lubricant storage.

If you have any questions about the storage of your oil or would like to talk to someone about installing Bulk Storage Tanks then please call your local depot and we will be happy to help.

LINCOLN 01522 521192 | SOHAM 01353 723373

CAWLEYS CROWNED WINNER FOR “OUTSTANDING INNOVATION” IN LITHIUM BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAMME

One of our customers, Cawleys has been crowned winner in a prestigious awards programme recently for its exceptional innovations in waste and recycling projects.

The leading waste management company – which has had a centre in Milton Keynes for over 30 years – beat off tough competition and hundreds of other nominations in the Innovation Award at the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2024 (MKBAA) in March.

Judges praised Cawleys for multiple pioneering projects such as its Lithium Battery Recycling Solutions division, which is set to revolutionise lithium battery disposal regionally, and its efforts to support more than 1,500 Milton Keynes organisations to significantly improve their recycling rates, carbon footprint and sustainability credentials - including Centre MK, Cranfield University and Brioche Pasquier UK. Cawleys is one of the UK's leading regional resource management and recycling companies. The multiple award winning company ethos is ‘local recycling, global responsibility’ and the company celebrated its 75th anniversary in business in 2022.

Phil Gudgeon, Managing Director, Cawleys said: “It was an amazing evening of celebration and recognition for the Cawleys team who work tirelessly to stay at the forefront of innovation in our sector.”

Cawleys has a history of innovation and is leading the way in pioneering technology to transform waste into active resources. One such initiative is the recycling of automotive and industrial lithium batteries; Cawleys has pioneered this service in the UK and has been instrumental in working with leading global automotive manufacturing brands to provide a full-circle sustainable solution for used lithium batteries.

Cawleys was also the first company in the UK to provide a specialist food waste recycling service to anaerobic digestion and has won numerous awards for its recycling best practice. Specialist services include hazardous and liquid waste disposal, WEEE recycling, Vegware composting, coffee cup recycling and confidential shredding.

We have been supplying Qualube lubricants since 1921, offering an extensive range of specific products for a huge variety of applications.

You can be sure that all our products meet the latest and highest Original Equipment Manufacturers approval requirements with confidence.

AGRICULTURE

PLANT & OFF ROAD

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

MARINE

PASSENGER CAR

CLASSIC & VINTAGE COUNTRY ESTATES

HORTICULTURE MOTORSPORT

withamgroup.co.uk

FROM FENS TO FIELDS

60 YEARS OF MASTERING THE LAND…

For over half a century, Lincolnshire Drainage Company (LDC) has been looking after more than 1600 customers in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk who all benefit from their vast experience in agricultural and civil drainage schemes. With recently the wettest winter on record, LDC has never been busier, and we recently met their Project Manager George Firth to find out more about their family business and how technology is helping optimise agricultural productivity and maintain the health of our land.

What’s the history of your business?

We have been established since 1964 and the business was started by Willem Den Hartog, after coming over from Holland. Willem had a great passion for drainage and had much experience from the Dutch land operations. David Firth my father bought the company in 2006 after meeting Willem when installing some drainage on his own farm at Sutterton. I joined the business in August 2011, and now manage our agricultural and civils contracts nationwide. We are proud to have 3 members of the Firth family working in the business today.

What does LDC do?

Farming well drained agricultural land is a priceless asset to any arable farmer. Well drained land leads to increased yields, extended growing period, lower harvesting costs and lower drilling and cultivation costs and we have a wealth of experience spanning almost 60 years. Over this time, we have gained an unrivalled reputation as a quality contractor that leaves no stone unturned in completing a successful and effective drainage solution. After an initial enquiry we will arrange a free of charge, no obligation meeting for an independent consultant to come and discuss the areas in question, look at existing drainage plans and take thorough land and water levels. From that a plan will be drawn up (see image below) to suit the customer’s requirements.

Once they are completely satisfied with the proposed solution we will discuss timings of the work to be completed, access and gravel tipping locations. Once the work begins we will use state of the art machinery only operated by trained and experienced personnel. To complete we will provide an 'as laid' plan of the installed drainage.

We have an unrivalled fleet of nine stoning machines, which are capable of installing gravel in all conditions.

Installation of gravel through the gravel hopper attached to the back of the pipe box means we can prevent wastage and install clean gravel to the exact depths required by the customer. We now have 30 people who work for us.

How has the business changed over the past 10 years?

The main changes have been investment in new machinery and using GPS technology to ensure our customers receive the most cost effective and efficient job. Lincolnshire Drainage Co Ltd was the first land drainage company to use GPS depth control in Europe. We worked closely with Mastenbroek®, Trimble® and Farm Works Software® to help produce a system that was reliable and accurate.

On all five of our Mastenbroek 30/20 Trenchers we run the latest GPS technology, which allows our trenchers to get the most precise level when trenching. This allows us to accurately lay our drains 'on grade' to the correct levels in your field, digging only to the depth which is required and allowing us to use the required amount of aggregates.

We achieve this by surveying every drain individually with the trencher. This will appear on a screen in the cab for

the operator to see, allowing them to see where there are any lower areas. Therefore, we can use aggregates more effectively, directly targeting each low area for maximum effect each time. As the GPS system continues to develop and improve we continue to invest in the improvements that are made. We now have two trenchers that are using auto steer technology as well as depth control.

This new GPS system is far better than the old laser system that was introduced in the 1970s. It is more accurate for depth control of the trench. It requires less labour in the field and automatically records each job as it goes, which means we can produce more precise plans once the work has been carried out. As the system is also less susceptible to weather this means we can work when the elements are against us.

We have also seen a steady growth in business recently due to the increase in offshore windfarms locally, which has in turn increased our civils workloads. The unprecedented changing weather patterns and increased rainfall has also made land owners consider investing in land drainage. In some years land drainage is the difference between having a crop to harvest and complete crop loss, or even having the ability to access a crop so that it can be harvested and, as we all know, the weather is unpredictable.

Land drainage is a long term investment in the land and therefore schemes need to be considered very carefully.

That's why we employ independent land drainage consultants to recommend schemes that are best for the customer.

Although initial cost of land drainage can seem high, the benefits are there for all to see, with a typical agricultural yield increase of 25%, extended growing periods, and an increase in the value of your land. The benefits far exceed the cost, especially when considering a typical 30 year lifespan of the system, and well-maintained schemes lasting much longer.

We set out to deliver first class and cost effective land drainage solutions to our customers, using modern machinery and skilled operatives and will continue to invest in our resources.

How long have you been a customer of Witham Group?

Always since I can remember! We buy oils and greases and paints for all our machinery and equipment. Good service is why we work with Witham and its so important that we get reliable products to us on time. Darren Smart from Witham works closely with Sean our fitter to ensure that he has all he needs to complete his job efficiently.

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Enjoy the Ride!

Classic & Vintage vehicles need special care and attention, however often they are used and we have all the top quality oils, greases and paints to ensure you can enjoy your treasured classic reliably and safely for the year ahead....

WRONG OIL? DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Aren’t all oils basically the same and does it really matter which you use? After all, the oil companies and equipment manufacturers just want to sell you a more expensive product, don’t they??

Nigel Bottom our Managing Director and Board Member of the United Kingdom’s Lubricant Association, tells us more…

Well, the short answer is NO they are not and YES it does but let me explain why.

As well as baseline ACEA or API specifications the OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer) also produce their own more targeted specifications for oil.

This specification will be tailored to their particular requirements and will generally use an industry standard as a baseline but include increased severity for certain tests important to that OEM. So often in handbooks you will see recommended an industry specification listed together with the OEM’s own.

It has never been more important to follow the manufacturers specification requirements. Modern equipment is built on extremely tight tolerances, often use exotic materials, and have extremely sophisticated electronic systems, the lubricant is a fundamental and arguably single most important part of this engineering symphony. It is the only component that comes into contact with all moving parts providing a protective film, it must absorb and neutralise acidic compounds caused by fuel combustion. It must be capable, in the case with hybrid vehicles, to cope with long periods of inactivity and still provide immediate protection when required. It must transfer heat, trap contaminants, and hold these in suspension until the next scheduled service amongst many other tasks.

Take a moment to consider exactly what the lubricant is achieving; for example, the average car oil pump will pump approximately 9 litres per minute. The average European engine car engine oil capacity is 4-6 litres, so the entire sump capacity is passing through the engine in less than a minute, every minute for 20,000 miles or in some instances 2-years. Scale this up to commercial vehicles and plant and it’s actually astounding that a fluid is capable of providing this kind of protective performance over this length of time, and it’s only possible because of the exhaustive test work performed by the OEM and additive companies. This will involve extensive laboratory work and field trials costing in many cases millions of dollars and taking years to finalise.

The same is true of all fluids, hydraulic, transmission and final drives all require, to varying degrees documented and verified validation of performance.

Using the correct viscosity is also crucial to the overall performance of the equipment, viscosity is unarguably the single most important physical property of a lubricant.

Think of it like blood in the human body, if it is too thin, we risk compromised blood pressure, too thick and it will not circulate to the vital organs efficiently enough compromising or even ceasing their function. The same is true of the lubricant, viscosity is absolutely paramount to the trouble-free operation of the equipment.

Using the incorrect OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specification lubricant in a vehicle can lead to many potential issues: INCREASED WEAR AND TEAR: The incorrect lubricant may not provide the necessary protection for the components, leading to increased friction and wear.

REDUCED PERFORMANCE: The vehicle’s performance may be negatively affected, including reduced fuel efficiency and power output.

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE COMPONENTS: Certain components of the vehicle may be damaged if the incorrect lubricant is used. For example, the wrong oil could cause damage to seals, leading to oil leaks or reduce or even render inoperative after-treatment devices such as catalytic converters if the incorrect chemistry is used.

VOIDED WARRANTY: If the vehicle is still under warranty, using the incorrect lubricant could potentially void the warranty.

It’s important to note that an oil that fully meets the OEM specification will not invalidate your warranty.

The European Commission operate under the Block Exemption Regulation, which means owners and operators can have their equipment serviced or repaired in any chosen workshop without invalidating their manufacturer’s warranty, as long as the work, parts, and oil are of appropriate and matching standard to that of the manufacturer.

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Visit our website and use our online lubricant finder to help you find the right oil and all the associated lubricants for your car, van, tractor, digger, fork lift or whole fleet of commercial vehicles easily and quickly. All our Witham lubricants are made to the latest OEM requirements and meet the latest ACEA and API recommendations and specifications, so you can be sure the quality of product you put in your vehicle is reliable and trustworthy.

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UNSURE ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED? USE OUR ONLINE LUBRICANT FINDER TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING THE RIGHT OIL.

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Therefore, it is very important that you use a trusted lubricant partner, one who is expertly qualified to understand the specifications and can demonstrate their products fully meet the OEM requirements. In the unlikely event of a warranty claim your lubricant partner should be able to produce documented thirdparty proof of compliance with the OEM specification in question to ensure validity of the claim.

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PORTERS FARMS (WALPOLE) LTD TELL US THE SECRETS OF FARM CONSERVATION

“Do not put off to tomorrow, what can be carried out today.”

Mike Porter is the 3rd generation of a traditional farming family that has farmed in Walpole in Suffolk for over 110 years. Today Hillhouse Farm, is not only home for Mike and his family, but also the centre of a thriving agricultural business, working hard to create a greener future with conservation and education at the fore. Here Mike kindly tells us more about his farm and his growing alliance of sustainability projects…

My Grandfather William Neave, moved here in 1912 from the village of Westhall only 4 miles away. In 1954, when he died, there were 16 people employed on the farm which was then about 500 acres.

I left school in 1968 and after 12 months practical, hands on learning with a farming neighbour, I went to Shuttleworth College before coming home with considerable experience.

Today our family consists of myself, Corinne my wife and 3 children; 2 girls (a nurse and a Police Officer) and James my son, who has recently joined me in the business with his wife Laura, who is now our part time secretary. Then we have an apprentice, Callum Hayes, who was Apprentice of the Year at Otley College in 2023. We also have two additional part time members of staff who help out over the busy harvest time. Corinne and I have recently celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary, with friends we have known since the big day. We trade as a limited company but remain a small family business.

We are situated equal distance from Norwich and Ipswich and 8 miles in from the North Sea coast. The Farm is heavy clay land and an all-arable unit which farms 300 Hectares with contract farming of 3 other businesses making a total a total of 589 Hectares. Being on Hanslope and Ragdale soil’s, all crops are grown above the soil! All land is under drained, and mole drained regularly.

Mike left with son James and Wife Corinne

WE GROW THE FOLLOWING CROPS INCLUDING. Wheat for animal feed and seed

244 Hectares

Oil Seed Rape for local crusher for bottled rape seed oil.

80 Hectares

Linseed for seed production

73 Hectares

Peas for freezing

23 Hectares

Dried peas for seed production

49 Hectares

Naked oats for seed

27 Hectares

Spring Barley for malting

39 Hectares

Mid-Tier Env. scheme

25 Hectares

A simple 7-year crop rotation is used across all farms with alternate years wheat with a break crop.

In 2003, we had a complete change of policy, in that we amalgamated with a neighbour giving (566 Ha) for cultivations but in 2006 this was dissolved and from 2010 we have been contract farming 132 Ha for a neighbour.

We purchase most of our requisites from FramFarmers, our local farmers buying group, who order on our behalf and use them for pool marketing of most of the grain which we produce. With Laura looking after the office, we are fairly Hi-tec with Xero and Gatekeeper for cropping records and mapping which is used for planning the SFI plans for all 4 businesses and GPS for steering the tractors up and down the field.

The Farm is run with Integrated Farm Management in mind, although this is nothing new to us, as we have always had a practical, whole farm business approach, looking after the land and environment as well as the economic and community aspects of our local area. We look at every square metre of the farm to see what the best use it and what can be made with it.

The farm has expanded considerably in the last 10 years since taking on more whole farm contracting where we order all goods for the farms when ordering our own requisites. A simple 7-year rotation is used across all farms

Linseed

Spring Barley

with alternate years wheat with a break crop. We are part way on our journey with Re-gen Agriculture with no-Till and other modern ways of looking after our soil but with heavy clay soils I am questioning 100% no-tilling. Time will tell.

For our 2023 crops, we planted a mixture of arable crops as mentioned earlier but also have 15 hectares put to Stewardship land and Bee Hives producing pollen and nectar. We also have 24 hectares now set up as conservation areas of woodland, ponds and farm buildings and roads.

Our machinery are our work horses and we have a mixture of John Deere tractors and Manitou Forklift, along with several different drills, harrows, hedge cutters and a New Holland combine.

We have several grain stores and a biomass boiler and although we do not adhere regularly to a carbon footprint, we know that our electricity cost is less than half that what it used to be and our water consumption is about 300 cu m annually which we monitor.

Costs of fuel and energy have increased in recent years and hit all businesses but we are doing what we can to save on these rising costs.

Peas

PORTER FARMS - FARM CONSERVATION In the past the farm has been a member of NFU, and ACCS, PVGA, LEAF and has carried out considerable amount of research work for the "Birds Eye Sustainable Pea Project" and the “Forum for Sustainable Farming. We have also been involved with RSPB Farmer Alliance bird survey for 2 years (2001 & 2003). Varying research work has been carried out on the farm by the following organisations:

Winter feeding of birds

Winter feeding of birds

Moths and Butterflies

Winter feeding of birds

Over the last 10 years we are using renewables with 75Kw of solar panels, a 450 Kw biomass boiler using straw to dry 2000 tons of wheat. We also have a 47 Kw wood chip boiler which provides all the heat to the house and the offices.

In 2005 we entered the Stewardship Scheme and entered the Higher Level Scheme in May 2007, together with 5 or more Farm Educational visits per year, where we have up to 40 children a day from a Primary School within East Anglia and the visit is supported by the Country Trust who finance some of the transport costs.

Our hedges are specifically managed and will be cut alternate years so as to give food to the birds during the winter months. The farm has many wetlands and woodland habitats, which have been developed over many years including planting 6.3H of woods and 3.4 km of hedges, over the last 25 years.

There are still 25 ponds, which are actively managed, many producing Coarse fish for local fisheries companies, which net the ponds every 4 years. A thriving trout fishing lake created more than 34 years ago, is a forerunner of present day diversification, also including a 1 1/2 acre lake built in 1996, which is let to on day tickets at the door.

We also have a Caravan Club CL Site on the farm where we allow a maximum of 5 caravans on per night. Last season we had 600 caravan nights.

The art of supplementing natural nesting sites for birds is found with manmade nest boxes which we install and is well demonstrated with us seeing most species of birds catered for on the farm, and also bats.

Pond, wildlife and hedgerow conservation, sit at the heart of the farm

We have 5 varieties of wild orchids flowering on the farm (Common Spotted, Early Purple, Bee, Pyramid, and Marsh).

A small shoot operates on a non-commercial basis and our Poplar Farmhouse is let on a short hold tenancy, after having been totally renovated in 1998 at considerable expense, including 1/10 hectare of plasterboard!

In 2006 we finished rebuilding the outbuildings near the farmhouse, for use of the caravan site and 2 offices to let. This work was grant aided by a DEFRA RES a grant and this project was supported under the England Rural Development Programme by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

Also, a Biomass boiler was fitted to heat the house and offices with woodchip that has also been supported with a RHI grant, which was completed in June 2016.

We have used the Witham Group for our oil supplies for all tractors and ancillary equipment for over 40 years, when they first started selling into East Anglia. I think that it is important to have a good relationship with your suppliers and have contact with them whenever we need them.

Overall, we are doing what we can. Our ethos is to carry out all work and jobs to the best of our ability and we have a saying that has stood us well for over 100 years:

“Do not put off to tomorrow, what can be carried out today.”

Our biggest challenge today is, like most farmers, the weather, as has been with my last 50 years in farming, but it concerns me that we are not receiving a fair share of the cake with poor farm gate prices. Hindsight is a marvellous thing, but I would not have changed my life from what I have done, it is still a happy life in the Countryside.

As I look back at my farming life, my proudest moment was when our 3 children were born. We have also taken part and won the Suffolk Agricultural Association farm Business competition for several years and I hope my future is to carry on farming for a few more years yet, and then hopefully pass the business over to the family.

Mike Porter

The Biomass Boiler and Wind turbine contribute further to sustainable farming.

AGRI.CYCLE LAUNCHES NEW RECYCLING SYSTEM FOR FARMERS

In a first for the agricultural industry, Agri.Cycle is proud to launch The Agri.Cycle Recycling System. Dreamt up by Agri.Cycle founder, Robert Moore, the system promises to help farmers recycle more and with demand soaring, Agri.Cycle are currently operating on a waiting list to ensure everyone receives the high-quality service they deserve. Here we find out more...

Agri.Cycle is a family business, devoted to the reduction of plastic pollution in agriculture through innovative and unique recycling processes since 2004. Agri.Cycle ensures farmers need not worry about compliance with any sustainability measures in farm assurance schemes and helps dispose of agricultural plastic such as feed and fertiliser bags, silage wrap, tree guards and spent shotgun cartridges, the list of what can be collected and recycled is extensive.

The scheme is based on a new bag frame system which has been specifically designed to be extremely user friendly for easy handling and operation and cuts down on loading and unloading time. Each bag can be used for separating different types of waste and the sturdy frames have been specially made to be user-friendly and designed for easy handling and operation. The frame system has also been created to withstand the environmental and weather challenges farmers face all year round while allowing for

the clean and efficient separation of waste streams and 30% more waste to be packed into every bag.

Robert says “The recycling of agricultural plastic waste is an important process that all farms should benefit from and endorse their commitment to sustainable farming. The innovative new recycling frames, created by farmers for farmers, represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture and now makes it even easier for farmers and their teams to work more efficiently.”

Introducing the frame system not only means a fuller bag, tidier yard and working conditions and ultimately more money for the farmer. For Agri.Cycle, it means more plastic is being recycled, and not left going to waste on-site or polluting the environment.

It’s a win-win.

NEW APP FOR EVEN EASIER COLLECTIONS The new Frame and Bag system has been launched at the same time as Agri.cycle’s new own online App, which allows members to request recycling collections.

With just five clicks from getting started to booking a collection, the app helps farmers recycle 12 of the most common farm plastics and the time-saving and efficient technology allows collections to be requested out of hours, so farmers can optimise their time on the farm.

“Our customers lie at the heart of everything we do here at Agri.Cycle. For us, developing this app was the next logical step to be able to deliver a service which can be accessed around every farmer's busy schedule,” explained Robert Moore, founder of Agri.Cycle.

“With this innovative new app, we are making recycling farm plastic as easy as possible for our customers, both existing and new. There is an appetite to make farming more sustainable, from recycling to regenerative farming itself - we hope this app is another step in the right direction to reducing farm waste.”

As farmers, Robert and the team understood the importance of a simple but effective, solution to ensure plastic waste could be dealt with correctly, to benefit both the farmer and the farm itself.

ESTATE RANGE

The Agri.Cycle team recycle millions of spent Gun cartridges.

VISIT AGRI.CYCLE AT UPCOMING EVENTS Agri.Cycle will be attending multiple events throughout the calendar this spring/summer and will be kicking off the show season at Cereals 2024 and the Lincolnshire Show where guests can experience the app and find out more. The Agri.Cycle team will be showcasing the app’s capabilities and its ease of use and will be able to register new members and sign up interested customers on the day.

An example of the frame and bag will also be on our very own Witham Stand at the Lincolnshire show as Witham Group have supplied the paint and lubricants for the recycling business. For more information about the new Frame Recycling System or App ordering, please visit agricycle.co.uk

Blending Quality, Value & Service since 1921

ESTATE RANGE

UNIQUE GUN CARE RANGE & FEEDERS

Offering the highest quality gun oils, with a unique biodegradable option and a remarkably effective choke and barrel cleaner, our new Gun Care Range provides outstanding protection and precision for game and clay shoot firearms. Our popular green painted game feeders offer a more camouflaged effect in the countryside, with top up paint for maintenance. Contact us to find out more.

withamgroup.co.uk

CALCIUM GREASE

THE GROWING SUSTAINABLE OPTION Greases provide a vital role in ensuring vehicles and equipment run to maximum performance. From reducing friction and wear and tear, protecting against corrosion, sealing out dust and dirt to absorbing shocks and vibrations their benefits are many.

For the past 60 years multi-purpose greases, based on lithium technology have made up more than 70% of the worlds lubricating grease. However, in recent years the demand for the mining of lithium continues to expand at an exponential rate as car manufacturers are being targeted to reduce CO2 emissions, by using battery operated vehicles, and the consequence of this is that lithium prices have reached an all-time high and the raw material itself is becoming a scarce commodity.

As a result of this a new wave of anhydrous Calcium based greases (contains no water) are now able to offer significant sustainable advantages and savings to lithium due to less impact from extraction and transportation.

In addition, the anhydrous calcium-based thickener is stable and more predictable. It is more abundant in supply, found in many continents and countries around the world.

All these advantages are not the only success, the new anhydrous Calcium technology providing outstanding water resistance and surface adhesion, increased corrosion protection and shear stability. This product is ideal for many universal applications and suited to the lubrication of plain bearings, wire ropes, chains, rails, and geared applications across a full range of equipment, where operating temperatures are not excessively high.

QUALUBE EXTREME PRESSURE MP2 GREASE: THE HIGH PERFORMANCE We are pleased to now offer our exciting new Qualube Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Grease range which is made with Calcium instead of traditional Lithium.

This new product, is an anhydrous calcium thickened lubricating grease based on a mineral oil and does not sacrifice on performance and can perform better than lithium in terms of oxidation resistance, dropping point and mechanical stability, due to its unique rust inhibitors, emulsifier and new thickening technology.

The grease contains antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors and EP/AW additives. The thickener, together with the special base oil blend, makes the product suitable for the lubrication of medium loaded bearings and in wet and corrosive environments. The lubricating grease has excellent adhesion and water resistance. This multipurpose grease can be used in both industrial and automotive applications and is ideal for agricultural, plant and off road and commercial machinery and is recommended for a wide range of plain and anti-friction rolling bearings.

This high-quality, grease offers an extremely high-water resistance, is easy to apply and has a smooth yellow texture, able to operate in a temperature range of -30C to 120C. Our Calcium MEP2 Grease is available in the following sizes: 400g grease cartridges, 18kg containers and 50kg containers.

MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT GREASE FOR THE RIGHT APPLICATION Since not all grease applications are the same, finding a suitable one for the job can be daunting. There are a whole range of greases available for different applications from Food Grade greases to High Temperature, Lanolin based and greases specially for wire ropes.

To select the best one for your industrial application, it’s important to understand how each works, the features required for optimum performance and what the OEM of your machinery requires.

Witham Group would like to ensure you are using the correct grease for the correct application at all times, as this will help you save on purchasing economy, longevity and effectiveness of your machinery and vehicles. Simply contact us and we can offer over the telephone advice or we can send one of our team to your site to confirm this, offering alternatives if necessary. We will ensure that you are using the most suitable and cost-effective products for your vehicles and machinery and help rationalise the number of different products. The process is entirely free, so please get in touch today.

BEACHSIDE, ROADSIDE OR COUNTRYSIDE

LNAA CELEBRATES BEING BY YOUR SIDE FOR OVER 30 YEARS The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is at the forefront of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in the UK, attending on average 4 potentially life-saving missions every single day, 365 days of the year. Due to the skills of its crew, made up of medical consultants, paramedics, pilots and support team, it brings a hospital emergency department directly to the scene of some of the most serious incidents in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Witham Group has been proud to support the LNAA for many years, providing paint for their aircraft hangers and donating thousands of pounds of fundraising monies from our team events over the years. Here we find out a little more about this amazing life saving charity and what you can do to help keep it in the air…

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance first became operational in May 1994 and since then has responded to over 28,500 missions. They are based at their headquarters, just south of the city of Lincoln. Their crews responded to a record 1,771 incidents during 2023, from serious road traffic collisions to agricultural injuries and cardiac arrests. The helicopter, is a top-of-the-range Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) aircraft offering head-to-toe access to patients in flight. It can reach anywhere across Lincs & Notts in under 20 minutes. With the use of night vision goggles, the skilled crew can also be by the side of critically ill and injured patients in the hours of darkness.

The highly trained crews carry the most up to date lifesaving equipment on board and this enables the dedicated doctor and critical care paramedic team to perform advanced, life-saving procedures on scene. They can give advanced pain relief, carry out emergency medical procedures, and even perform open-heart surgery, and give blood transfusions at the scene.

Unbeknown to many the LNAA also runs two critical care cars. The Nottingham car operates in Nottingham City Centre and the surrounding area and the second car responds when incidents take place in built-up areas with restricted helicopter access, or when bad weather prevents flying.

Serious medical injuries accounted for 696 missions:

2023 was LNAA’s busiest year on record, responding to 1,771 missions. Its pilots, doctors and paramedics responded to 546 missions in Nottinghamshire, 1,044 in Lincolnshire and the remaining 181 in the surrounding counties.

488

158

50

Road Traffic Incidents

Assaults

Sporting/Leisure Related Injuries

Critically ill and injured patients were taken to hospitals including Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, Hull Royal Infirmary, Sheffield Northern General and Lincoln County Hospital.

Caring for a patient does not stop when the doctors and paramedics transfer them to hospital. LNAA’s Aftercare Team continues to grow from strength to strength and the team reached out to 916 patients and/or their families

during 2023. From providing support and arranging 58 visits to the organisation’s HQ, the team are also a listening ear and help many patients come to terms with their injuries and cope with the impact of what happened to them. In return, many patients and survivors who have received the benefits of being treated by the team, decide to help say thank you by fundraising or donating and promoting the work and achievements of the charity.

MARKS STORY A cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car, says he wouldn’t have survived without the care of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance crew.

One day Mark Jones, was working as a dog handler with the British Transport Police. The next, he was fighting for his life and continues to work on his recovery today.

“My sergeant had asked me to take a statement at Grantham Railway Station. After doing this I was allowed to finish early and go home. I never got home,” said Mark (59). “It’s amazing how life changes just because of one accident. You realise your whole life has changed in that one moment.”

It took less than 15 minutes to fly Mark to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) where a surgical team were waiting to operate on him.

Mark Jones and his wife Karen recovering after his accident

Other injuries consisted of a bleed on the brain, both lungs punctured, numerous broken bones including two vertebrae, right collarbone and shoulder blade, every rib on the left-hand side and three on the right. His right leg was severely damaged below the knee and surgeons had to shorten his leg by 1.5 cm and put it into a metal frame, so that the bones could regrow and reconnect effectively.

The accident had a big effect on Mark’s family and his wife, Karen visited hospital daily to help nurse him. She even once arranged to bring Mark’s beloved dog Ollie into the ward to cheer Mark up. He acknowledges that Karen bore the brunt of his frustrations and anger, especially in those first years following the accident.

It was September 2015 and Mark spent the next 5 weeks in a coma. His condition was critical, and his chance of survival was low. He received extensive medical care, but the effects of the bleed on the brain had caused too much damage and it was going to take much longer to overcome so Mark was transferred to Northampton Rehabilitation Unit to help prepare him for when he could live independently at home.

Eight years later, Mark is still recovering. He has a speech impairment, short-term memory loss and suffers from fatigue. Part of the left side of his head is missing and he has had a titanium plate inserted to recreate the shape of his head and most importantly to protect his brain. He can cook, hoover and clean the house. He can cycle and drive a car. He has also had the courage to travel abroad to his son`s wedding.

“It was there that I realised how badly injured I was. Everyday things were suddenly too hard for my brain to work out. It was surreal. I knew my name but couldn’t write it. I had to learn how to get dressed, clean my teeth, to do all those simple tasks including household chores and creating recipes with just two items in them - I could never get a third – It was all too much for my brain.”

He has set up a dog training business and has become a volunteer for LNAA giving talks at clubs and societies, raising awareness of its life-saving work. As he says: “You saved my life – this gives me the chance to give something back.”

Finally, after 18 months, Mark was able to go home. He said: “But I was not going to let this beat me, I would not just lie down and take it, I was going to be active and face my recovery with determination to succeed.”

"It makes me feel sad to realise how much I have changed, and it must hurt Karen immensely to think that the world we had isn’t the same anymore and will never be. The person I was has gone, but I’m still alive and well, I’m just different.

Life does still go on and we have to do the best we can to look to make a future that we want."

THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT LNAA The LNAA is a registered charity and receives no direct funding from the government. Instead it relies on the generosity and goodwill of supporters through donations and fundraising to support its work. LNAA needs to raise £13 million this year to operate 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

There are so many ways to support LNAA. Every year hundreds of people undertake fundraising events from cake and bake sales to rallies and marathons.

The charity also offers numerous challenge events for individuals and groups to take part in. From running the gruelling London Marathon, the Great North Run, or the Lincoln 10k to one of their dedicated challenges like the

By Your Side 10k Steps challenge. These events are great fun and create a community of fundraisers who relish the challenge of taking on something new.

One of the easiest ways to support LNAA is by taking part in the weekly Lottery. For just £1 per week, people can join, set up a simple monthly direct debit and have the chance to win the weekly £1,000 prize.

1 in 3 of the missions are funded by gifts and legacies left in Wills. Leaving LNAA a gift in your Will is a wonderful way to carry on supporting a cause that matters to people long after your lifetime. A gift of any size can help people in our communities now and in the future.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP The LNAA has a wide range of business partnerships working with them across a variety of sectors. Each corporate partner plays an invaluable role, raising both awareness and funds, either by organising events, allocating the LNAA as a charity of the year, providing goods and service donations or encouraging team members and employees to take part in organised or individual fundraising events.

The benefits of partnering with a charity has been demonstrated through various studies, culminating in a 2021 Third sector report showing that 80% of corporates who had connected with a charity were planning to build on their involvement and investment.

Witham Group were proud to hand over a fundraising cheque to the crew earlier this year.

LOOKING OUT OVER THE HORIZON The LNAA has started 2024 with great optimism. It is their 30th anniversary and there are ambitious plans for the next 12 months to enable the charity to be by the side of more patients and ultimately help save more lives.

As the demand for their service grows, so is the fact that costs will also increase, meaning the need to raise more money will continue to grow.

The 30th Anniversary events aim to touch people living in every corner of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and the charity will be holding a number of exciting activities including the Lincs & Notts Yarn Bomb Challenge.

Individual knitters are invited to create a mini helicopter and display it in a local shop, pub, church, or other community space. More details can be found on their website: ambucopter.org.uk LNAA moved to their new HQ and hanger in 2021.

We are proud to have members of the LNAA on our Witham Group stand at this years Lincolnshire show, so please come and visit us.

To find out more about the LNAA, how to donate, leave a legacy or ask for help and advice about a fundraising event, please visit https://www.ambucopter.org.uk/

ALL ABOARD!

TO ENJOY A GOOD DAY OUT ON THE WATER, GOOD BOAT MAINTENANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT. HERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE TIPS TO KEEP YOU SHIP SHAPE THIS SUMMER! Boat maintenance is crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of a vessel. Regular maintenance helps prevent issues such as corrosion from exposure to saltwater, ensures optimal engine and extends the lifespan of various parts and components that you don’t want to let you down. Not only that, just keeping the appearance looking great makes you feel good about your vessel and ultimately helps in its re-sale value.

The main things that need to be maintained on a boat are: 1.

Engine(s)

2. The boat’s hull (bottom) and topsides 3. Electrical systems 4. Plumbing and HVAC systems (in larger boats) 5. Moving parts (like hinges, tracks, and zippers) 6. Canvas and upholstery

The most basic maintenance tasks are simply keeping things clean and, where appropriate, well-lubricated. This has a huge impact on a boat. The fibreglass gel coat, for example, will oxidise and turn chalky if you don’t wash and wax it regularly. So, a basic boat hull maintenance chore with any fibreglass boat is washing and waxing. Dirt that sits on canvas and upholstery allows mould and mildew to attach and grow, so again, regular cleanings are very important.

Having a dirty bilge pump means you may not spot leaking fuel or fluids and can lead to clogged bilge pumps which allow water to escape.

After a day out on the water, other than cleaning the boat and lubricating parts as necessary there aren’t many maintenance tasks you need to worry about. The one other maintenance chore that should be done after every trip is making a simple visual inspection of all the boat’s systems. If you spot anything wrong, then you can decide whether to tackle the challenge yourself or take the boat in for repairs.

In terms of products for boat maintenance, Witham Group has all you need no matter how large or small the vessel may be. Commonly used products include: ⚓ ENGINE OIL: Use marine-grade engine oils that are specifically designed for marine engines.

These oils are formulated to provide the necessary protection against the harsh marine environment and the unique demands of marine engines. ⚓ ANTIFOULING PAINT: Antifouling paints are applied to the hull below the waterline to prevent the growth of marine organisms, such as barnacles and algae. Copper-based antifouling paints are commonly used, but it's important to choose a paint suitable for the boat's material (e.g., fibreglass, aluminium, or wood). ⚓ TOPSIDE PAINT: Topside paints are used for the visible parts of the boat above the waterline.

They protect the boat from UV rays, salt, and other environmental factors. Choose a marinegrade topside paint that is compatible with the boat's material and finish.

⚓ BILGE PAINT: Bilge areas are prone to moisture and can be a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Bilge paint helps protect these areas and makes them easier to clean. ⚓ OUTDRIVE AND GEARCASE LUBRICANTS: For boats with outboard motors or sterndrives, use marine-grade lubricants specifically formulated for outdrives and gearcases.

Find out more about all our full range of Marine lubricants and paints at withamgroup.co.uk

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING

WITHAM TEAM RAISE AN AMAZING £8K FOR CHARITIES £8,000 raised has been equally distributed among AT OUR FUNDRAISING BALL The the following four charities, each dedicated to making a

We are delighted to have raised a fantastic £8,000 for four deserving charities during our Charity Ball in January.

The event, held in January at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Lincoln, had a Wild West Theme and brought together team members and their partners, friends, customers, and suppliers of Witham Group in a collective effort to make a positive impact. Witham Group's commitment to supporting local communities was evident as attendees rallied together to support charitable causes, chosen for being close to the hearts of colleagues.

difference in their respective areas of focus.

• Lincolnshire & Notts Air Ambulance • Teenage Cancer Trust • Help For Heroes • Lincolnshire Rural Support Network Thank you to our employees, customers and suppliers who were very generous in raising this money to help our chosen charities for this year. This takes our fundraising in recent years to over £130,000.

“We are thrilled to announce that our annual charity event was a tremendous success,” said Witham MD Nigel R Bottom.

“This achievement is a testament to the generosity and dedication of our team members, partners, and supporters who have wholeheartedly contributed to these fantastic charities.”

The Witham Soham Team present the fundraising donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The Witham Team presenting a fundraising cheque for £2,000 to the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance crew.

Witham Team members at the Lincoln Factory presenting the Help for Heroes charity ‘Hero Bear’ mascot with a fundraising cheque for £2,000.

Witham MD Nigel Bottom with the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network charity at the Farmers Conference event at the Lincolnshire Showground.

PROUD TO SUPPLY BOAT PAINT FOR YOKO ONO’S EXHIBITION AT THE TATE MODERN! Yoko Ono, who was married to The Beatle’s John Lennon, is a trailblazer of art, film and performance, a celebrated musician, and a formidable campaigner for world peace.

Her new exhibition YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND is the UK’s largest exhibition at London’s Tate Modern, celebrating key moments in Ono’s groundbreaking career, from the mid-1950s to now.

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to take part in both simple acts of the imagination and interaction. The Add Colour (Refugee Boat) piece which begins as an all-white boat in an all-white room and Witham Group have been delighted to work with the providers and painters of the boat, used in this exhibition by donating the Supercote white paint to create a blank canvas.

The small white boat with our paint on is found inside a white empty space, the visitors are invited to paint it with their own hopes, wishes, dreams, ideas and images.

Previous to The Tate in London, the Add Colour (refugee boat concept as graced the shores of New York Mori, Japan; Thessaloniki, Greece; Leeds, England; and Leipzig, Germany.

The Add Colour (Refugee Boat), from the New York Exhibition after the visitors had added their artwork.

The Boat, primed with Supercote, ready for the exhibition at the Tate Modern

..You can visit the boat at the Tate Modern in London and see it with our Woco paint and add your own artwork until 1st September 2024.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING WOCO MARINE PAINT HELPS ANNUAL RESTORATION OF LUCY LAVERS What a difference a coat of Witham Woco Marine Paint makes! The team at Curlew Coastal Charters have been getting Lucy Lavers ready for the 2024 season. We are delighted to continue our support for Rescue Wooden Boats and supply the paint for the restoration project of this iconic Dunkirk ‘Little Ship’, which flies the Witham Flag when she is out on the water off the North Norfolk coast offering boat trips.

We were also happy to provide some leaflets for the Rescue Wooden Boats Centre ready for the summer visitors. You can book a trip on the Lucy Lavers boat with Curlew Coastal Charters, based at Wells in North Norfolk a very worthwhile adventure!

WITHAM CHEERS DEBENHAM YOUNG FARMERS' 80TH ANNIVERSARY BALL! We were happy to support the Debenham Young Farmers club celebrations for their 80th anniversary recently by donating some of our gun oil as raffle prize for the Suffolk Club. Winner James Abercrombie's face lit up when his ticket was drawn. As a proud supporter of the Young Farmers Clubs, we are also supporting many other clubs this year with paint for their trailer displays and signage at the Lincolnshire Show, talks and visits around our factory and support with prizes and other items where we can.

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMER DAVID TAYLOR’S CYCLING CHALLENGE FOR CANCER One of our farming customers from Rowston, Lincolnshire has completed a gruelling cycling challenge in aid of Myeloma UK recently, having been sadly diagnosed with the disease himself. David Taylor, 57, was diagnosed with the incurable bone marrow cancer on January 11, 2023, after complaining of neck, arm and shoulder pain.

After receiving chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant at Nottingham City Hospital, he spent 52 days in Boston Pilgrim Hospital recovering. He is now post-treatment and on maintenance drugs in remission.

He decided to give something back and do a charity challenge - cycling at least 10 miles a day for 52 days (to mirror the time he spent in hospital) on January 11, a year after he was diagnosed. Facing cold, rain and wind, he has averaged 22 miles a day, peaking at 57 miles on a trip to the Wolds.

We were proud to sponsor David (and provide a trusty Witham bobble hat to keep him warm!), who completed the challenge in early March and has raised more than £5,000 for Myeloma UK – a fantastic effort – WELL DONE DAVID!

WILD WEST BALLOONS TAKE FLIGHT IN LOCAL NURSERIES! After our fun Wild West Ball in January, we found a fantastic way to keep the smiles going by donating the leftover helium balloons to two nurseries in Sudbrooke and Scothern. The children were absolutely thrilled, and the balloons brought smiles to their faces all week long.

We loved hearing they enjoyed playing with them!

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING CALLING ALL MASSEY FERGUSON 135 ENTHUSIASTS! CAN YOU HELP WITH A WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT? Classic Tractor Enthusiasts Club ‘Friends of Ferguson Heritage’ (FoFH) is set to attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the largest number of Massey Ferguson 135s ever assembled– in celebration of an amazing milestone birthday.

This Autumn will mark the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary – 60 years since the launch of the Massey Ferguson 135. This classic tractor, known as the ‘Red Giant’ is one of the biggest selling tractors of all time, with over 300,000 sold worldwide.

To celebrate this anniversary, FoFH are attempting to gather a World Record number of Massey Ferguson 135s at the Newark Vintage Tractor Show at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire on the 9th and 10th of November 2024.

To raise enough to fund the Guinness World Record recognition, they are asking for support from businesses to cover the costs of the MF135 spectacle, by way of sponsorship opportunities. They are also appealing to all MF135 owners to join them at Newark Showground for the event – which is not just limited to FoFH members. Besides the main event of the actual world record count, FoFH will also be judging the tractors in four classes based around; the Best Restored, Best Unrestored, Most Unusual and Most Worked.

If you know of any businesses or individuals that would be interested in supporting this event, or any MF135 owners that would like to join in the event, please contact Peter Lawrence, FoFH Club Chairman at pete.lawrence1@btinternet.com or 07952 311 993. Thank you.

MODEL T FORD DRIVES 2000 MILES IN CHARITY FUNDRAISER ON QUALUBE CLASSIC Lubricant and paint manufacturer, the Witham Group, has supported a team of customers in a fundraising challenge where they drove a 101-year-old Ford Model T on a 2000-mile journey from Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire to Gibraltar on southern Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

The Model T and its crew—Larry and Christine Riches and their friends, Ralph Kemp and Margaret Sowerby completed the challenge in 2 weeks, raising nearly £9,000 for charity ‘Cancer Relief Gibraltar’.

Witham Group donated its special Using Qualube Classic oil to service the car throughout the journey Qualube Classic oil for the expedition, and with regular tops and maintenance checks, the team made it all the way without a hitch!

Witham Group MD, Nigel R Bottom commented: “We were delighted to support this fantastic charity challenge.

In the 1920s, half of the cars on the road were Ford Model Ts. This car really put the world on wheels – more than 25 million were manufactured between 1908 and 1926. We are proud that our Qualube Classic oil helped the vehicle to successfully drive there and back – doing an amazing 2,800 miles without a hitch.”

Larry Riches, with his Ford Model T in the wild flower fields of Spain, on his 2000 mile fundraising journey to Gibraltar.

MOTORSPORT

EXCITING TEAM LINE UP AHEAD FOR 2024 SEASON The 2024 UK motorsport season is now well underway, and we're thrilled to be supporting a wide range of championships and teams across various disciplines. This year is shaping up to be our biggest and most diverse commitment yet, from the adrenaline-pumping roar of the British Touring Car Championship to the precision manoeuvres of the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.

Richard Scarbrough, Witham Motorsport Sales Director said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with these exceptional motorsport teams and individuals. From high-octane rally stages to the tactical challenges of BTCC, the 2024 season promises to be a thrilling ride. We're proud to fuel their passion and contribute to their success."

GOOD LUCK TO OUR DIVERSE ROSTER OF TEAMS… Beyond championships, Witham Motorsport is also proud to support car clubs such as the Mini Cooper Register and a diverse roster of talented drivers and teams, including: ȭ

Speedworks /Toyota Gazoo Racing UK Team BTCC

ȭ

Chris Dittmann Racing - British F4 Championship

ȭ

Matthew Hirst Racing - Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship

ȭ

Roskell Motorsport - British Rally Championship

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Jason Lepley Motorsport - The British Historic Rally Championship

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Matt Edwards, Merally Sport - Irish Tarmac Championship

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John Griffiths – MGJ Circuit Rally Championship

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EDSL Sport - Pirelli Welsh Rally & Protyre Rally Championship

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Bonnie Papper Motorsport - Various Rally Championships

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Dan Bird Motorsport - Various Rally Championships

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Ovenden Motorsport - 5 Nations British Rallycross

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Tom Ovenden – Mini Challenge UK

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Calum Lockie - Masters Historic Race Events

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Lewis Kerr - British Speedway Premier League

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Great Britain Speedway Team – Speedway World Cup

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Team Enforcer 922 Powerboat Team - OCRDA

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Joe Dalgarno - Type R Trophy

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Todd Crooks Motorsport – BTRDA Clubman’s Rallycross Championship

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Bromley Racing Team – Civic Cup

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OR Motorsport - NKC (National Kart Racing) Championship

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George Kay Racing - NKC (National Kart Racing) Championship

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Norfolk Garage - MINI Challenge

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JP Racing - British Truck Racing Championship

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RAF Classic Race Team - Classic Racing Motorcycle Club CRMC

The Team Enforcer 922 Powerboat Team had great success in the OCRDA (The Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association) in 2023 coming 2nd in the UIM World Championship.

The Norfolk Cars Ltd Team are hoping for more success in the MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT Championship again this year.

Calum Lockie winning a Masters Historic race at Snetterton in 2023.

Ovenden Motorsport are competing in the 5 Nations British Rallycross in 2024.

MOTORSPORT WITHAM MOTORSPORT HITS THE AUTOSPORT SHOW! In January we visited the Autosport Show which was a fantastic opportunity to connect with some of our valued customers, including Ovenden Motorsport.

Their rally cars were real showstoppers, and we were proud to see them sporting the Witham Motorsport branding! The show was a chance to catch up with industry friends and admire some truly amazing vehicles.

DOUBLE AWARD NIGHT DUTY!

MGJ CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP Congratulations to Michael Igoe and Will Atkins who won the MGJ Circuit Championship in April, after having a fantastic season. Congratulations also to our sponsored team – John Griffiths and Emma Morrison who took 2nd place in the championship.

We were proud to be the specialist lubricant partner for the season and see some fantastic action across various UK circuits.

We had a busy awards season in January and February, attending ceremonies for both the Pirelli Welsh Championship and the BTRDA Protyre Asphalt Championship.

In January, we were honoured to be invited to Llandrindod Wells for the Pirelli Welsh Championship Awards night. We even had the privilege of presenting some of the trophies, including one to last year's champions, Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear.

February saw us at the BTRDA Protyre Asphalt Championship awards for the 2023 season. The event boasted a fantastic turnout, with competitors, event organizers, sponsors, officials, and VIP guests all gathering for a memorable evening hosted by TV presenter Paul Woodford.

PROTYRE ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

We are proud to be one of the key partners for the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship - which consists of seven events held at various locations across the UK. We recently attended the Rallynuts Stages Rally supporting our teams Matthew Hirst Rallying, Roskell Motorsport, Jason Lepley Motorsport James Lepley - Rally and Jon & James Crook. Congratulations to Matthew Hirst Declan Dear on taking maximum points, winners of both the Pirelli Welsh and BTRDA categories.

WITHAM MOTORSPORT CONTINUES SUCCESS WITH PIRELLI WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP

We are delighted to be again sponsoring the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship which started in March.

Congratulations to our sponsored drivers Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear who won the first round giving them a sensational fourth Rally North Wales win in a row! They are currently leading the championship.

BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP We are proud to be supporting the Speedworks Motorsport / Toyota Gazoo Racing UK Team again this season with two new drivers in the British Touring Car Championship. Driving for the team this year will be former world champion Rob Huff who was crowned World Touring Car Champion in 2012 and has achieved a total of 34 race wins and four top three championship finishes against some of the finest tin-top talent around.

The other driver is Andrew Watson who was one of the standout stars of the 2023 BTCC championship. He arrived in the BTCC last year off the back of a successful career in international sportscar competition – including stints in the FIA World Endurance Championship, British GT Championship, Blancpain GT Series and a brace of top six finishes in-class in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.

MOTORSPORT THE BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP We are delighted to continue our support of Jason Lepley Motorsport and his sons George Lepley and James Lepley again for the 2024 season.

The Lepley family have rallying in their DNA and now with the third generation, between the family they have been competing in and winning rallies for over 50yrs. Jason Lepley Motorsport has been restoring and selling rally cars of various makes and categories since the late 80’s.

George and James are going to both be competing in the 2024 British Historic Rally Championship- one of the largest and most highly regarded championships in rallying. They are planning on running a 2-car team, backed by Witham Motorsport Oils.

George Lepley from the Jason Lepley Motorsport team was the Riponian Rally National Winner in The British Historic Rally Championship in early February.

George will be driving a FIA Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Group A car and James in a Ford Escort MK2 fitted with a BDG engine. The plan is to win both the overall championship with George’s 4WD car and James win the 2WD category.

James Lepley’s Ford Escort MK2

CROOKS TAKES COMMANDING VICTORY IN BTRDA CLUBMANS RALLYCROSS OPENER! Todd Crooks got his BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship campaign off to a flying start with a dominant lights-to-flag victory in the first round!

While there may have been some tight racing heading into the first corner (Turn 1), Crooks emerged on top and never looked back, securing a welldeserved podium finish in the final. This is a fantastic result for Crooks and sets the tone for a promising season ahead.

A family rally team run by a family business with the support of Witham Motorsport - another family business - the perfect combination!

MATT EDWARDS, MERALLY SPORT - IRISH TARMAC CHAMPIONSHIP We are proud to announce a new partnership with 3x ‘British Rally Champion’ and Rally Driver Coach Matt Edwards. Matt is competing in the 2024 Irish Tarmac Championship and kicked off his seven-round campaign at the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally in a Rally2 version of the M-Sport developed Ford Fiesta. He recently had great result finishing 2nd in the West Cork Rally – after what he said was “one of the toughest events I’ve ever done”. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings!

LEWIS KERR IS OFF TO A FLYING START IN THE PREMIERSHIP! The British Speedway rider is back with the Oxford Spires this season after a successful 2023. Kerr has wasted no time making his mark, dominating the opening matches to secure back-to-back victories. He crushed the Sheffield Tigers with a convincing win, and then followed it up with another strong performance, defeating the Birmingham Brummies. This is a promising start for both Kerr and the Oxford Spires, suggesting a strong season ahead.

NEW OWN LABEL FOR MINI COOPER REGISTER Through our relationship with the Mini Cooper Register, we have been delighted to be asked to design an exclusive special own label oil for their club the Mini Cooper Register. Their own brand oil will be promoted over this year’s club events and to all their members and supporters.

Since the register was formed in 1986 their membership has continued to grow, with currently over 1800 members throughout the world.

OUR MOTORSPORT HATS REACH THE USA! Thanks to customer Andrew Bisping for sending in this picture of him wearing a Witham Motorsport Hat at this year’s Daytona 500 NASCAR race in the USA.

STARTING ‘EM EARLY! Witham Motorsport’s rising star and our Operations Director Graham Dawson’s son Harold, aged 5, competed in his first Motorcross recently at Washbrook Farm MX track. Harold did very well racing around the circuit on his electric balance bike. One to watch for the future!

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